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What Causes Episodes Of Loose Green Stools?

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Posted on Wed, 16 Aug 2017
Question: I had a terrible night consisting of at least 15 green bowel movements diarrhea. No pain associated with episode. Did not take supplements nor did I eat green vegs. I am upset now because these episodes are getting to be daily. Stool also looks mucusy. I know I have food intolerances and Hemangiomas of the liver should I be very concerned at this time?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (43 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Details follow.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for choosing HealthcareMagic for your query.
Have gone through your details and i appreciate your concerns.


Since you mentioned the problems are becoming daily issue, can you specify the precise duration - days / weeks / months.

If its acute (few weeks or days) then its gastroenteritis. It is an intestinal infection marked by diarrhoea(as food passes fast through intestines bile is not properly broken imparting green color to stools), nausea, vomiting.However its not necessary that all symptoms are there in a single patient.Depending on the cause, viral gastroenteritis symptoms may appear within one to three days after you're infected and can range from mild to severe. Symptoms usually last just a day or two, but occasionally they may persist as long as 10 days.It can be bacterial also.
In other words, if symptoms progress then it needs to be medically attended.

Treatment-

Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration–You need to drink more than usual to replace the fluids lost from diarrhoea. Water is best, but you could also try fruit juice and soup.

Get plenty of rest.
If you feel like eating, try small amounts of plain foods, such as soup, rice, pasta and bread.BRAT diet.
Use special rehydration drinks made from sachets electral solution to maintain depleted electrolyte levels in serum.
Take anti-diarrhoeal loperamide 4 mg thrice daily.
3 days antibiotic and anti protozoal course can also be taken.
Tab Ofloxacin 200 mg twice a day(9a.m-9 p.m)
Tab Metronidazole 400 mg twice daily(9a.m-9p.m)

However if episodes are there from months it can be irritable bowel syndrome.
In IBS there is some problem in the functional ability of the gut that leads to the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. The structure of the intestines is normal, only functional abnormality occurs in this condition.So frankly speaking (IBS) represents a functional disorder of gastrointestinal tract without the presence of an anatomic defect.

please mention the duration of problem for further advice.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (6 hours later)
Thank you for your response. I have had this problem going on for at least 8 months. I take probiotics and it seems to help for a day or two then back to some solid stool followed by loose bowel movement. I don't like going out any more as at times this is sudden and I must reach a toilet. I hope it is nothing serious....ever since I had the GIST removed one year ago this situation developed. I thought it would just go away....no nausea, no vomiting. I will follow through with any advice you can give me. Thank you so very much.......
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (9 hours later)
Brief Answer:
irritable bowel syndrome.

Detailed Answer:
Hey,
It seems you are having Irritable bowel disease.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a very common disorder which affects the colon (large intestine). It causes constipation, diarrhea, gas, bloating, abdominal pain and cramping. Irritable bowel syndrome is usually long term.
What causes irritable bowel bowel?

In IBS there is some problem in the functional ability of the gut that leads to the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. The structure of the intestines is normal, only functional abnormality occurs in this condition.So frankly speaking (IBS) represents a functional disorder of gastrointestinal tract without the presence of an anatomic defect.

Recent studies by French scientists have indicated that the most important mechanisms include visceral sensitivity, abnormal gut motility and autonomous nervous system dysfunction. The interactions between these three mechanisms make bowel's function susceptible to many exogenous and endogenous factors like gastrointestinal flora, feeding and psychosocial factors.

However, some factors which cause irritable bowel syndrome include
Foods- Many people have severe symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome when they consume certain things such as alcohol, carbonated beverages, milk, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, beans, fruits, fats, spices and chocolates.
Stress- Most people who have irritable bowel syndrome find that their symptoms worsen and are more frequent during periods of extreme stress. While stress can aggravate these signs, it doesn’t cause irritable bowel syndrome.



Food suggestions-
Eat a moderate amount of soluble fiber. It adds bulk to your stools. Good sources are whole wheat breads, oats, barley, brown rice, whole-grain pasta, the flesh of fruit (not the skin), and dried fruits.
Don't eat foods at opposite temperatures, such as ice-cold water and steaming hot soup, in the same meal.
Stay away from broccoli, onions, and cabbage. They cause gas, which can make you feel worse.
Eat smaller portions.
Drink water an hour before or after meals, not while you eat.



Drug options for you-

Dicyclomine is an anticholinergic drug.An anticholinergic agent is a substance that blocks the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the central and the peripheral nervous system. Anticholinergics inhibit parasympathetic nerve impulses by selectively blocking the binding of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine to its receptor in nerve cells.

Mebeverine is an antispasmodic medicine and is very useful in IBS and is well tolerated by patient with minimal side effects. Mebeverine works on certain muscles in the wall of your intestines, causing them to relax.

Clidinium bromide is an anticholinergic (specifically a muscarinic antagonist) drug. It may help symptoms of frequent stools.



please let me know if you need more details.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (7 hours later)
Thank you for the answers to my questions.....I sincerely appreciate your valuable time. I will be seen by a local gastroenterologist and I feel more prepared for what may come of it. I will gladly tell others of this service. Many thanks......
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (16 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
follow up.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you so much.
please do grade the answer.


Dr kumar!
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Ramesh Kumar

Gastroenterologist

Practicing since :1986

Answered : 2906 Questions

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What Causes Episodes Of Loose Green Stools?

Brief Answer: Details follow. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for choosing HealthcareMagic for your query. Have gone through your details and i appreciate your concerns. Since you mentioned the problems are becoming daily issue, can you specify the precise duration - days / weeks / months. If its acute (few weeks or days) then its gastroenteritis. It is an intestinal infection marked by diarrhoea(as food passes fast through intestines bile is not properly broken imparting green color to stools), nausea, vomiting.However its not necessary that all symptoms are there in a single patient.Depending on the cause, viral gastroenteritis symptoms may appear within one to three days after you're infected and can range from mild to severe. Symptoms usually last just a day or two, but occasionally they may persist as long as 10 days.It can be bacterial also. In other words, if symptoms progress then it needs to be medically attended. Treatment- Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration–You need to drink more than usual to replace the fluids lost from diarrhoea. Water is best, but you could also try fruit juice and soup. Get plenty of rest. If you feel like eating, try small amounts of plain foods, such as soup, rice, pasta and bread.BRAT diet. Use special rehydration drinks made from sachets electral solution to maintain depleted electrolyte levels in serum. Take anti-diarrhoeal loperamide 4 mg thrice daily. 3 days antibiotic and anti protozoal course can also be taken. Tab Ofloxacin 200 mg twice a day(9a.m-9 p.m) Tab Metronidazole 400 mg twice daily(9a.m-9p.m) However if episodes are there from months it can be irritable bowel syndrome. In IBS there is some problem in the functional ability of the gut that leads to the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. The structure of the intestines is normal, only functional abnormality occurs in this condition.So frankly speaking (IBS) represents a functional disorder of gastrointestinal tract without the presence of an anatomic defect. please mention the duration of problem for further advice. Thanks.